Sigma Corporation Explained

Sigma Corporation
Native Name:株式会社シグマ
Native Name Lang:ja
Type:Private KK
Foundation:Setagaya, Japan
Founder:Michihiro Yamaki
Location:Asao-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 215-8530, Japan
Key People:Kazuto Yamaki
(CEO)
Industry:Electronics
Num Employees:1,135
Subsid:Foveon
Footnotes:[1] [2]

is a Japanese company, manufacturing cameras, lenses, flashes and other photographic accessories. All Sigma products are produced in the company's own Aizu factory in Bandai, Fukushima, Japan. Although Sigma produces several camera models, the company is best known for producing high-quality lenses and other accessories that are compatible with the cameras produced by other companies.

The company was founded in 1961 by Michihiro Yamaki, who was Sigma's CEO until his death at age 78 in 2012.[3]

Sigma products work with cameras from Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Olympus and Panasonic, as well as their own cameras.

Sigma has also made lenses under the Quantaray name, which have been sold exclusively by Ritz Camera. Similarly, Sigma lenses were sold exclusively by the former Wolf Camera, but following the merger of Wolf and Ritz, both brands could be purchased.

Sigma's digital SLRs, the SD9, SD10, SD14 and SD15, plus the latest SD1 are unusual in their use of the Foveon X3 image sensor. The company's mirrorless cameras, the Sigma SD Quattro and SD Quattro H, use the Foveon Quattro sensor, an updated version of the Foveon X3. All use the SA lens mount. The Sigma DP series of high-end compact P&S cameras also use the Foveon Quattro sensor, which gives them a much larger sensor than other cameras of this type.

In September 2018 Sigma became one of the founding members of the L-Mount Alliance; it announced that it will cease to develop SA-mount cameras and instead use Leica's L-Mount. A new full-frame mirrorless camera, Sigma FP, was launched in 2019 along with a range of L-Mount lenses and adapters.[4]

Sigma is the world's largest independent lens manufacturer and is a family-owned business.[5]

Cameras

Sigma has made a number of film SLR cameras, including the SA-300, SA-5, SA-7 and SA-9. Their latest consumer digital SLR is the SD15. During photokina 2010, Sigma announced a new flagship DSLR camera, the SD1. SD1 features a new 46MP Foveon X3 sensor with 1.5x crop, as opposed to the 1.7x crop of previous models.[6]

All Sigma SLR, DSLR, and mirrorless cameras use the Sigma SA mount, which is mechanically similar to the Pentax K mount and electrically an adaptation of the Canon EF lens mount lens control system.

Sigma also produces the DP series of high-end compact digital cameras. The Foveon APS-C sized sensors are similar to those used in the DSLR line. The current line makes use of the Quattro sensor, a variant of the Foveon design that has a higher resolution top layer and lower resolution lower layers combined into a final image that is claimed to be equivalent to a 39 megapixel color filter array image. The four compact cameras are differentiated by their fixed prime lens, with the ultra wide DP0, the wide DP1, the normal DP2 and the telephoto DP3.

In February 2016, Sigma announced two new mirrorless cameras—the SD Quattro and SD Quattro H. Both cameras use the full-depth Sigma SA mount, allowing the use of existing SA-mount lenses, and also use Foveon Quattro sensors. The SD Quattro uses an APS-C sensor with 19.6 MP in the top layer, while the SD Quattro H uses an APS-H (1.35x crop) sensor with 25.5 MP in the top layer. The company claims that the Foveon Quattro technology produces a level of detail equivalent to that of a Bayer sensor with twice the pixel count.[7]

Software

Sigma produces multiple software packages for use with their cameras and lenses.[8]

Lenses

Sigma makes autofocus lenses for the Sigma SA, Canon EF, Nikon F, Minolta/Sony α, Pentax K and Four Thirds lens mounts. Each lens may not be available in all mounts, and may lack certain features (such as HSM) on certain mounts.

In August 2013, Sigma announced that starting the following month, it would offer a mount conversion service for its newest "Global Vision" lenses—those with either an "A" (Art), "C" (Contemporary), or "S" (Sport) as part of their model name. For a cost that varies with lens and market—from $80 to $250 in the U.S., not including shipping costs—owners can send their lenses to their local Sigma company, which in turn sends them to Japan for mount replacement, including calibration and optimization for the new camera system. Lenses designed for DSLRs can be converted to Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, or Sony A mounts; those designed for MILCs can be converted to Micro Four Thirds or Sony E-mount.[9]

Designations

Zoom lenses

Wide-angle zooms

Focal lengthApertureEXfull-frameHSMSeriesNote
8–16mm4.5-5.6
10–20mm4-5.6
10–20mm3.5
12–24mm4.5-5.6Aspherical
12–24mm II4.5-5.6Aspherical
12–24mm4A
14-24mm2.8ADN
14-24mm2.8A
15–30mm3.5–4.5Aspherical
16-28mm2.8CDN
17–35mm2.8–4Aspherical
18–35mm3.5-4.5Aspherical
20–40mm2.8Aspherical
21–35mm3.5-4.2
24–35mm2A

Standard zooms

Focal lengthApertureEXfull-frameOSHSMSeriesNote
17–50mm (2010)2.8
17–70mm2.8–4.5MACRO
17–70mm2.8-4.0MACRO
17–70mm2.8-4.0CMACRO
18–35mm1.8A
18–50mm2.8
18–50mm2.8CDN
2.8MACRO
18–50mm2.8-4.5
18–50mm3.5–5.6
18-200mm3.5-6.3CMACRO
24–60mm2.8
24–70mm2.8MACRO
24–70mm2.8
24–70mm2.8ADN
24–70mm2.8A
24–70mm3.5–5.6Aspherical HF
24–105mm4A
24–135mm2.8–4.5Aspherical IF
28–70mm2.8
28–70mm2.8
28–70mm2.8DF
28–70mm2.8
28–70mm2.8CDN
28–70mm2.8–4
28–70mm2.8–4UC
28–70mm3.5–4.5UC
28–80mm3.5–5..6Aspherical Macro
28–84mm3.5–4.5
28–85mm3.5–4.5
28–105mm2.8–4
28–105mm3.8–5.6Aspherical IF
28–105mm4–5.6UC
28–135mm3.8–5.6
28–135mm4–5.6
28–200mm3.5–5.6Macro
28–200mm4–5.6
28–300mm3.5–6.3Macro
28-300mm3.5-6.3DL Hyperzoom Aspherical IF
35–70mm2.8–4
35–70mm3.5–4.5
35–80mm4–5.6DL
35–105mm3.5–4.5Macro
35–135mm3.5–4.5
35–135mm4–5.6UC
35–200mm4–5.6
39–80mm3.5XQ

Telephoto zooms[10]

Focal lengthApertureEXfull-frameOSHSMSeriesIntroductionNote
50-100mm1.8A2016
50-150mm2.8
50-150mm II2.8
50-150mm2.8APO
50–200mm3.5-4.5APO
50–500mm4–6.3
50–500mm4.5-6.3
55–200mm4–5.6
60–600mm4.5–6.3S
70–150mm3.5
70–200mm2.82006MACRO
70–200mm2.82005
70–200mm 4/32.82008
70–200mm II2.82007MACRO
70–200mm[11] 2.82010APO
70-200mm2.8S2018
70-210mm2.8APO
70–210mm3.5–4.5APO
70–210mm4-5.6 UC
70–210mm II4-5.6 UC
70–210mm4.5UC
70–250mm3.5-4.5
70–300mm4–5.6MACRO
70–300mm4–5.6APO
75–200mm2.8-3.5
75–200mm3.8
75–230mm4.5
75–250mm4.5
75–300mm4.5–5.6APO
80–200mm3.5
80–200mm3.5-4.0
80–200mm4.5–5.6
80–400mm4.5–5.6
100–200mm4.5
100–300mm4
100–300mm4.5–6.7DL
100-400mm5-6.3C2020DN
100-400mm5-6.3C2017
100–500mm5.6–8APO Zoom Tau
120–300mm2.8
120–300mm2.8
120-300mm2.8
120–300mm2.8S
120–300mm5.6
120–300mm5.6-6.3
120–400mm4.5–5.6APO
135–400mm4.5–5.6
150–500mm5–6.3APO
150–600mm5–6.3C
150–600mm5–6.3S
170–500mm5–6.3
200–500mm2.82x teleconverter included, allowing 400–1000mm 5.6
300–800mm5.6APO
350-1200mm11 APO

Prime lenses

Wide-angle primes

Focal lengthApertureEXfull-frameHSMSeriesNote
8mm3.5Circular Fisheye
8mm4Circular Fisheye
10mm2.8Fisheye Ultra-Wideangle
12mm2.8Fisheye Ultra-Wideangle
14mm1.8A
14mm2.8Aspherical
14mm3.5
15mm2.8Diagonal Fisheye
16mm1.4CDN
16mm2.8XQ Filtermatic Diagonal Fisheye
18mm2.8Filtermatic
18mm3.2 XQ
18mm3.5XQ
20mm1.4ADN
20mm1.4A
20mm1.8Aspherical RF
20mm2CDN
24mm1.4ADN
24mm1.4A
24mm1.8Aspherical
24mm1.8Aspherical Macro
24mm2CDN
24mm2.8XQ Filtermatic
24mm2.8Aspherical
24mm2.8Super Wide
24mm II2.8Super Wide
24mm3.5CDN
28mm1.4A
28mm1.8Aspherical Macro
28mm2.8XQ Filtermatic
28mm2.8Mini Wide II
30mm1.4CDN
35mm1.2ADN
35mm1.4ADN
35mm1.4A
35mm2.8GN (guide number)

Standard primes

Focal lengthApertureEXfull-frameHSMSeriesNote
1.445mm equivalent on most APS-C systems, 48mm equivalent on Canon APS-C, 51mm on Sigma, 60mm on Four Thirds
30mm1.4CDN
30mm1.4A available for Canon, Nikon, and Sigma mounts
35mm2CDN
40mm1.4A
45mm2.8CDN
50mm1.4
50mm1.4A
65mm2CDN

Macro primes

Focal lengthApertureEXfull-frameOSHSMNote
Macro 50mm2.8
Macro 50mm2.8
Macro 55mm2.8XQ
Macro 70mm2.8
Macro 90mm2.8
Macro 100mm2.8XQ
Macro 105mm2.8
Macro 105mm2.8
Macro 105mm2.8
APO Macro 150mm2.8
APO Macro 105mm2.8
APO Macro 180mm2.8
APO Macro 180mm2.8
APO Macro 180mm2.8IF
APO Macro 180mm5.6

Telephoto primes

Focal lengthApertureEXfull-frameOSHSMSeriesNote
56mm1.4CDN
85mm1.4[12]
85mm1.4ADN
85mm1.4A
90mm2.8CDN
105mm1.4
105mm2.8ADN MARCO
105mm1.4A
135mm1.8A
135mm1.8XQ
135mm1.8Sigmatel
135mm2.5 T-mount
135mm2.8
135mm3.5
200mm2.8XQ
200mm3.5
200mm4
APO 300mm2.8
APO 300mm2.8
300mm4XQ
APO 300mm4MACRO
APO 300mm4MACRO
APO 300mm4.5
300mm5.6
400mm5.6
400mm5.6Mirror
APO 400mm5.6
APO 400mm5.6MACRO
APO 400mm5.6MACRO
500mm4Mirror-Ultratelephoto
APO 500mm4.5
APO 500mm4.5
500mm4S
APO 500mm7.2
500mm8Mirror
600mm8Mirror
APO 800mm5.6
APO 1000mm8
1000mm13.5Mirror

DC lenses for APS-C

DN lenses for mirrorless cameras

Lawsuit

In 2011, Nikon filed a suit against Sigma, alleging it had violated patents relating to Nikon's "Vibration Reduction" image stabilisation technology.[18] In 2015, the suit ended through settlement, with no details disclosed.[19]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Company Summary . Sigma Corp. . September 28, 2015.
  2. Web site: Company Snapshot . . September 28, 2015.
  3. Web site: Michihiro Yamaki, Sigma founder and CEO dies: Digital Photography Review . . January 27, 2012 . January 28, 2012.
  4. News: Butler . Richard . Sigma to take Foveon full frame and adopt L mount . 26 September 2010 . DPReview.
  5. Web site: Sigma AF 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM - Lab Test / Review . August 29, 2012 . May 1, 2010 . Photozone.de.
  6. Web site: Sigma releases SD1 flagship digital SLR . Digital Photography Review . September 21, 2010 . October 17, 2010.
  7. Web site: Sigma announces sd Quattro and sd Quattro H Foveon mirrorless cameras . Richard . Butler . . February 23, 2016 . June 1, 2017.
  8. Web site: Software . 2023-05-07 . SIGMA Corporation . en.
  9. Sigma Corporation's new Mount Conversion Service enables lens use across camera systems . Sigma Corp. of America . August 1, 2013 . August 2, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130804112754/http://www.sigmaphoto.com/article/sigma-corporations-new-mount-conversion-service-enables-lens-use-across-camera-systems . August 4, 2013 . mdy-all .
  10. Web site: SIGMA History 1961-2010 – Sigma UK . 2023-05-07 . en-US.
  11. Web site: Sigma launches stabilized 70-200mm F2.8 telezoom . Digital Photography Review . February 20, 2010 . January 28, 2012.
  12. Web site: Sigma releases 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM . Digital Photography Review . February 20, 2010 . January 28, 2012.
  13. Web site: 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM - A. Default Store View. April 12, 2018.
  14. Web site: Sigma unveils 56mm F1.4 DC DN lens for Sony E and Micro Four Thirds. 2021-09-13. DPReview.
  15. Web site: 16mm F1.4 DC DN - C. Default Store View. April 12, 2018.
  16. Web site: 30mm F1.4 DC DN - C. Default Store View. April 12, 2018.
  17. Web site: 30mm F2.8 DN - A - Silver. Default Store View. April 12, 2018. November 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107015820/https://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/standard-lenses/30mm-f28-dn-a. dead.
  18. Web site: Nikon files patent infringement case against Sigma. dpreview.com. April 12, 2018.
  19. Web site: Nikon and Sigma reach settlement in OS patent infringement case. www.imaging-resource.com. April 12, 2018.

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